Tag Archives: betrayal

Is Edward Snowden a patriot or a traitor? He certainly breached the trust of those who employed him. But he asserts that he did it for a higher purpose. He claims to believe that we, the American people, deserved the information and had the right to know what our government was doing. (Though I might settle for the belief that the American Government knows what it’s doing)

This also seems to be the story (or excuse) for former Defense Secretary Robert Gates revealing the behind the scenes stories from the Obama administration. Gates’ defenders claim that we are entitled to know that politics influence administration decisions–a truly shocking allegation. Really?

Quite aside from guessing at the motives of either Snowden or Gates, their actions raise similar ethical and practical considerations. Can either the Defense Department, or any Intelligence branch, function without the reasonable expectation of confidentiality? So naturally the question follows whether a presidency can function without the expectation of both loyalty and confidentiality?

The dilemma for the American people is to decide whether any Lone Ranger can breach expectations and obligations for reasons of ego, profit or even a good faith belief that it’s important? I believe that whistle blowers play an important role in the life and health of our nation. But clearly, this cannot be an anything goes kind of world. Ego or profit are not good reasons for betraying a trust. The national interest may be. However the standard should be quite high.

Like crying “Fire!” in a crowded theater, there needs to be a clear and present danger. This may have been the case with Snowden’s revelations. However, even if true, he broke the first rule of true civil disobedience and ran from the consequences of his actions. I believe he did the state some service, but I’m personally not too sympathetic to him.